The AI Policy Podcast

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Join CSIS’s Aalok Mehta, Director of the Wadhwani AI Center, on a deep dive into the world of AI policy. Every two weeks, tune in for insightful discussions covering AI regulation, economic impacts, national security, geopolitics, and more. CSIS is a bipartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.

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101 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes101

Newest first

Aug 7, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
H20 Export Dispute and Industry Responses to the EU AI Code of Practice
We unpack U.S. backlash to Nvidia’s H20 chip exports to China and why firms are hesitant to sign the EU AI Code.
Jul 31, 2025 · 49 min
Unpacking the White House AI Action Plan with OSTP Director Michael Kratsios
On July 30, the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center hosted Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for a discussion breaking down the recently released AI Action Plan and discuss the Trump administration’s vision for U.S. AI leadership and innovation amid strategic competition with China.
Jul 29, 2025 · 9 min
In Memoriam: Andrew Schwartz, Our Friend and Colleague
In this special episode, we honor the life of Andrew Schwartz, Chief Communications Officer at CSIS and beloved co-host of this podcast. Andrew was a mentor, a friend, and a tireless champion of the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center’s work. His humor, personal stories, and passion shaped this show and left a lasting impact on all of us. Our team, our community, and CSIS will miss him deeply.
Jul 16, 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
China's AI Industrial Policy with Kyle Chan
Kyle Chan joins to break down China’s AI industrial policy, its tools, priorities, and impact on tech and US-China rivalry.
Jul 2, 2025 · 33 min
Senate Strikes AI Law Moratorium, Courts Rule on Copyright Cases, and Congress Talks AGI
In this episode, we cover the Senate's vote to remove the moratorium on state AI laws from the reconciliation bill (00:38), the latest AI copyright court rulings involving Meta and Anthropic (7:38), key takeaways from the House Select Committee on China's AI hearing (20:55), and the latest developments surrounding DeepSeek, including export control impacts and military ties (27:45).
Jun 27, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
AI, Cybersecurity, and Securing Model Weights with Miles Brundage and Chris Rohlf
In this episode, Miles Brundage and Chris Rohlf join us to explore how AI is reshaping cybersecurity—from the offense-defense balance to securing model weights. We also discuss “AI security doomerism” and what policymakers can do to strengthen AI system protections.
Jun 18, 2025 · 31 min
AI Safety Institute Rebrand, Congressional Hearing on Export Controls, and Meta's New Superintelligence Lab
We cover the U.S. AI Safety Institute rebrand, BIS export control updates, and Meta’s $15B bet on AI superintelligence.
Jun 10, 2025 · 50 min
Shield AI’s Ryan Tseng on Building an Autonomous Future for the DOD
CSIS hosted Shield AI’s Ryan Tseng on June 9 to discuss AI, autonomy, and defense innovation.
Jun 4, 2025 · 33 min
AI in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Safety Concerns About Anthropic’s Newest Model
We discuss House GOP's AI law moratorium, federal AI funding, and safety concerns with Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.
May 21, 2025 · 28 min
China's AI Industrial Policy, New Controls on Huawei's Ascend Chips, and President Trump's Middle East Trip
We cover China’s AI policy, new US chip controls on Huawei, and Trump’s Middle East trip. Let me know if you'd like it to keep timestamps or specific names like Kyle Chan.
May 14, 2025 · 53 min
The AI Diffusion Rule is Rescinded, AI Executives Testify Before Congress, & AI Adoption in the IRS
In this episode: Trump on AI Diffusion, execs testify to Senate, IRS adoption, Copyright Office report, AI & the papacy.
May 7, 2025 · 34 min
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request, AI Diffusion Framework Update, and the Politburo's Study Session on AI
Greg and Andrew talk Trump’s FY2026 budget, AI Diffusion deadline, and China’s Politburo reveal global AI ambitions.
May 2, 2025 · 50 min
Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang on Securing U.S. AI Leadership
On May 1, 2025, the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center hosted Alexandr Wang, Founder and CEO of Scale AI, a company accelerating AI development by delivering expert-level data and technology solutions to leading AI labs, multinational enterprises, and governments. He shared his insights on key issues shaping the future of AI policy, such as U.S.-China AI competition, international AI governance, and the new administration’s approach to AI innovation, regulation, and global standards.
Apr 23, 2025 · 29 min
Michael Kratsios’s Vision for U.S. Tech Leadership, H20 Export Controls, and Huawei’s Ascend 920
We discuss Michael Kratsios's recent speech on US technology policy, the Trump administration's decision on Nvidia H20 chips, and the Huawei announcement of the Ascend 920 chip.
Apr 16, 2025 · 48 min
A New Vision for Advancing AI Governance with Andrew Freedman
In this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, Wadhwani AI Center Director Gregory C. Allen is joined by Andrew Freedman, Chief Strategic Officer at Fathom, an organization whose mission is to find, build, and scale the solutions needed to help society transition to a world with AI. They will discuss the origins and purpose of Fathom, key initiatives shaping AI policy around the country such as California Senate Bill 813, and the new administration's approach to AI governance. They will also unpack the concept of “Private AI Governance” and what it means for the future of the U.S. AI ecosystem. Andrew Freedman is the Chief Strategic Officer at Fathom, boasting over 15 years of expertise in emerging industries and regulatory frameworks. Previously, he was a Partner at Forbes Tate Partners, where he led the firm's coalition work in technology and emerging regulatory sectors. Andrew has advised governments in California, Canada, and Massachusetts, and has been a speaker at major conferences like Code Conference and Aspen Ideas Fest. Earlier in his career, Andrew served as Chief of Staff to Colorado's Lieutenant Governor, where he established the Office of Early Childhood and secured a $45 million Race to the Top Grant. He also managed the Colorado Commits to Kids campaign, raising $11 million in three months for education funding. Andrew holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Tufts University.
Apr 10, 2025 · 20 min
Tariffs, Nvidia’s H20 Export Control Exemption, and OMB’s New AI Guidance
In this episode, we talk Trump administration tariffs and what it means for the US AI ecosystem, and more.
Apr 2, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Mapping Chinese AI Regulation with Matt Sheehan
Matt Sheehan, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins to speak on China and AI today.
Mar 26, 2025 · 48 min
AI Action Plan RFI, California's AI Policy Working Group Report, and Why Programming Jobs Are Disappearing
AI firms respond to the White House AI Action Plan, California’s AI policy draft, and AI’s impact on programming jobs.
Mar 19, 2025 · 52 min
The State and Local AI Regulation Landscape with Dean Ball
Dean Ball, Research Fellow in the Artificial Intelligence & Progress Project at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center, joins to discuss the AI policy landscape.
Mar 12, 2025 · 25 min
Deepseek Report, Manus AI, and the DOD’s New Acquisition Approach
In this episode, we discuss the Wadhwani AI Center’s latest publication on the implications of DeepSeek for the future of export controls (0:40), Chinese company Manus AI (9:05), what Secretary Hegseth’s memo means for the DOD AI ecosystem (15:27), and xAI’s acquisition of 1 million square feet for its new data center in Memphis (21:28).

The AI Policy Podcast

H20 Export Dispute and Industry Responses to the EU AI Code of Practice

Unpacking the White House AI Action Plan with OSTP Director Michael Kratsios

In Memoriam: Andrew Schwartz, Our Friend and Colleague

China's AI Industrial Policy with Kyle Chan

Senate Strikes AI Law Moratorium, Courts Rule on Copyright Cases, and Congress Talks AGI

AI, Cybersecurity, and Securing Model Weights with Miles Brundage and Chris Rohlf

AI Safety Institute Rebrand, Congressional Hearing on Export Controls, and Meta's New Superintelligence Lab

Shield AI’s Ryan Tseng on Building an Autonomous Future for the DOD

AI in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Safety Concerns About Anthropic’s Newest Model

China's AI Industrial Policy, New Controls on Huawei's Ascend Chips, and President Trump's Middle East Trip

The AI Diffusion Rule is Rescinded, AI Executives Testify Before Congress, & AI Adoption in the IRS

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request, AI Diffusion Framework Update, and the Politburo's Study Session on AI

Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang on Securing U.S. AI Leadership

Michael Kratsios’s Vision for U.S. Tech Leadership, H20 Export Controls, and Huawei’s Ascend 920

A New Vision for Advancing AI Governance with Andrew Freedman

Tariffs, Nvidia’s H20 Export Control Exemption, and OMB’s New AI Guidance

Mapping Chinese AI Regulation with Matt Sheehan

AI Action Plan RFI, California's AI Policy Working Group Report, and Why Programming Jobs Are Disappearing

The State and Local AI Regulation Landscape with Dean Ball

Deepseek Report, Manus AI, and the DOD’s New Acquisition Approach